As Didier Drogba got a hero’s welcome on his return to Stamford Bridge, one must wonder where that leaves Romelu Lukaku. The 21-year-old has been at Chelsea since 2011, spending most of his first season in England with the London club’s reserves and the next two out on loan, at West Brom and Everton respectively.
Lukaku got the chance to perform on a global stage at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil and, although he may not have performed as well as he would have hoped, the striker made enough of an impression to attract the interest of several top European sides. The defining moment of the tournament for the Belgian was scoring what turned out to be the decisive goal during his country’s 2-1 victory of the United States in the round of 16.
The Express have reported that the signing of Drogba could spell the end of Lukaku’s time at Chelsea. Everton are believed to be favourites to get the forward if he is to leave, with Roberto Martinez keen to secure his services on a permanent basis after he played a massive role in the Toffees’ impressive season last campaign.
The returning Ivorian, though, is not the only man Lukaku would have to compete with for a place in the starting lineup at Stamford Bridge; the Blues’ other recent arrival Diego Costa and Fernando Torres make up the four main strikers Jose Mourinho has at his disposal. As the Portuguese manager tends to play one up top, the young Belgian must now question his position in the pecking order and decide whether a move is his best option.